The shots caused a leg fracture and multiple stomach injuries to the 36-year-old who has since been discharged from hospital, while his wife’s watch was stolen.

Hinds, of Forest Road, was found guilty of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, robbery and possession of a firearm at the Old Bailey and sentenced to 32 years on Tuesday.

Sterling, of Cologne Road, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm but was found not guilty of attempted murder and possession of a firearm to endanger life and handed an 11-and-a-half year jail term.

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The pair robbed the couple outside their home in Leyton (Picture: Met Police)

CCTV footage, phone evidence and witness statements placed Sterling and Hinds together before and after the attack.

Officers, who arrested Sterling the day after the shooting, found he was suffering from a gunshot wound to his elbow that he had not sought hospital treatment for.

His blood-stained clothes were also found thrown in a skip.and a phone recovered from the scene carried his DNA.

Detective Sergeant Nick Hamer said: ‘This shooting had a clear element of planning, and the primary motive was to rob the victims of their watches.

‘The victim was very lucky to survive with the injuries he received. I would like to give special acknowledgement to the victim’s wife who courageously fought off the attackers and attempted to get between them and her husband.

David Sterling was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years in prison (Picture: Met Police)

Hinds was handed a 32-year sentence (Picture: Met Police)

‘If it had not been for her actions, it is highly likely that more shots would have been fired at her husband, and the outcome could have been worse.’